Lancaster University

Lancaster University is definitely worth visiting. It is a great Erasmus destination (despite the weather)which is REALLY international. To reach it, Liverpool and Manchester are the closest airports (From Paris I suggest you to take Easyjet to Liverpool). If you want to travel the train is a good solution but is not always reliable. So if you are really have to be on time, take an early train. People from Lancaster are very nice and helpful. So if you feel lost do not hesitate to ask for some help.

If possible, spend a lot in Kwik Save for foods, because they will give a very good price with the same stuffs. If you want to have a good branded new clothes, please go to Boundary Mills Stores in Colne. You can find Pierre Cardin jacket for only 35 quids and Bally shoes for 20 or less! Otherwise, if you don't need the branded ones, just find out in Charity Shops.

There was no need to buy any textbooks for my year in England because the teachers expect you to use the library, so that saved a lot! Because I lived on campus, I had a bed and everything I needed. I did buy one plate and a set of silverware, but I used my flatmates' pots and pans, so it wasn't very expensive.

OK, there's just not a lot to do in Lancaster. It's a quaint place, but if you come from a big city, you'll get bored fast. It's not really convenient to anywhere, but you'll probably be inspired to get out of the town sometimes just for a change of scenery. (The scenery, by the way, consists mainly of sheep.) I joined several school societies and made friends quickly; if you don't know anyone, I would recommend this. There are a lot of good films shown on-campus. Nightlife however usually consists of going to the same old bars.

At the beggining of the year almost all Erasmus students were with host families. I was very lucky as mine was wonderful but it is not always the case. I moved to campus on January (not because I had trouble with my host familly but i just wanted to try life on campus). Depending on your neighbours living on campus can be a real dream as well as a terrible nightmare. Experiences about housing are mainly led by chance. If you do not like your accomodations you have to be aware that in the major part of the case there is always a way to move and find something else.

Housing is fine. Nothing special, no major complaints. I got a tiny room with its own sink and shared a large kitchen and bathroom with the other girls on my hall. Definitely get to know your neighbors! Some of my favourite memories of Lancaster involve hanging out w/ my neighbors. BTW, there was a payphone in a stairwell that I think could also receive incoming calls, but that's it. I lived in Grizedale.